Mary Chandler Upton, 77, a resident of Irving since 1979, passed away on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Baylor, Scott, and White Medical Center in Irving. Born September 11, 1944 in Arlington, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Robert Chandler Rollings and Blanche Imogene Herman Rollings. She moved to Irving in 1979 and married Barney Gibbs Upton, Jr. on September 30, 1985, in Dallas. She spent her career as a professional Trade Show Manager and had been awarded Show Manager of the Century. As a pioneer for women in the advertising specialty industry, Mary was always looking for ways to give back including teaching trade show classes in Shanghai, China. She was highly recognized in the industry with numerous awards including being listed as one of Americas top 100 Successful Women. A volunteer at Baylor, Scott, and White Medical Center in Irving, she volunteered in the Neo-natal ICU where she loved to hold babies. One of her passions was hand edging baby blankets and distributing the blankets to expectant mothers including donating hundreds of blankets to babies in Romania. She and her husband, Barney aka Grumps, have been supporters of the Dallas Symphony, the Kimbell Arts Center, and the Meyerson Symphony Center and she was an avid listener of classical music. She was an active conservationist and supported many other causes close to her heart. Mary was an avid reader and read dozens of books a month pursuing her passion for reading. She was well known for reading books aloud to children in the family. Mary loved nature and the outdoors and had many adventures traveling the world with her husband, family and friends. Even into her 70s, Mary was always willing to experience new adventures including white water rafting in Colorado, zip lining in Costa Rica, firing guns, and sky diving at 75 years old. Trips to the Texas coast, Alaska, Disney World, and family vacations were a highlight in her life. Mary was a "friend of Bill Wilson" and had over 36 years of continuous sobriety in AA. Known by many as Grammy, Lala or the Laundry Fairy, she will be greatly missed. Preceded in death by her parents and a sister Carlyn Ann Rollings Lay, she is survived by her husband Barney Gibbs Upton, Jr.; a son Richard Carl Capodagli; daughter, Carlyn Mary Capodagli Wooten; step-sons, Ronald Capodagli and wife Jan, Timothy Albert Musson and wife Angela and Matthew Isaac Musson and wife Michelle; a sister Roberta Rollings Doxey; a brother, Raymond Leith Martin Rollings and wife Karen; twenty-four grandchildren; and thirty-eight nieces and nephews. The funeral was held Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Colonial Funeral Home of Irving, 606 West Airport Freeway in Irving. Burial was at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas. SERVICES

Visitation

Friday, September 17, 2021 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Colonial Funeral Home 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, TX 75062

Funeral Service

Saturday, September 18, 2021 10:00 AM

Colonial Funeral Home Chapel 606 W. Airport Fwy. Irving, TX 75062